Note: As usual (or unusual in this case), we like to be up front about our posts. This was a free party with free drinks, sponsored by Hendrick’s.

Hendrick’s Gin once again wowed its visitors at its annual party of the unusual. Last year’s party was pretty legit, which you can read about here. Then, we met with the ambassador and found out a little bit about what made Hendrick’s different from some of the other gin’s of the world. Generally, it’s because of its botanical taste, but he gets much more technical in his description for those of you who truly enjoy the ins and outs of your beverages. I won’t repeat all of our learnings here, but instead will give you a recap of the night.

This year, Hendrick’s may have outdid itself. We really enjoyed the set up, which was transformed from a big, open setting to having a private entrance, wherein your party gathered and entered through a hidden bookshelf into a botanical greenhouse complete with mist and intrigue.

Once you walked inside, there were several watering stations, where you could try out several spectacular gin drinks.

Here are a few to try:

Unusual Negroni (Tiffany’s personal favorite)
Ingredients:
1 oz. Hendrick’s Gin
1 oz. Aperol
1 oz. Lillet Blanc
1 grapefruit peel

Method: Combine ingredients in a mixing glass, ice and stir until well chilled. Strain into either an iced rocks glass or a cold cocktail glass. Garnish with a peel of a pink grapefruit and enjoy.

Emporium of the Unusual Punch (Fairly sweet)
Ingredients:
1.5 oz. Hendrick’s Gin
2 oz. Tazo Cinnamon Spice Tea (Hot or Chilled)
1 oz. Fresh Lemon Juice
1 oz. Simple Syrup
1 oz. Sparkling Water
1 Lemon wheel
3 dashes Angosura Bitters
1 Cucumber wheel

Method: Combine ingredients and give a good stir. Serve in punch bowl, with ice if chilled.

Benevolent Bog (A great fall/holiday drink)
Ingredients:
1.5 oz. Hendrick’s Gin
0.75 oz. Spiced Cranberry Compote
0.75 oz. Lemon Juice
0.33 oz. Ancho Reyes
1 Lemon Wheel (garnish)
2 Fresh Cranberries (garnish)

Method:
Combine ingredients, add ice and shake. Strain into an iced rocks glass. Garnish and serve.

After grabbing a drink, we tried our best to get chosen to go under the dress of what must have been the tallest woman in the world (See the picture for that statement to make any sense at all). We’re still not sure what’s under her skirt. Or how you’re chosen to go under there for that matter. But what we do know is that that was one of the talks of the night—while people seemed to be going in and out of the big tent skirt, no one really knew who you had to know to get there.

There was also a writer who would type out a limerick for the ladies. He mostly flirted with the women in line, but at the end of the wait, you’d end up with a silly poem to take home. No clue where that little slip of paper went to, although you can see it in the photos below.

If I haven’t convinced you that you should attend next year’s soiree, just look through the photos and let them speak for themselves. The party is as unusual as the taste of gin itself.

What makes Hendrick’s unique?

• The distinctive flavor of Hendrick’s Gin is a result of the eleven different botanicals used in its creation.
• Then rose and cucumber are infused into the spirit one batch at a time.
• Hendrick’s is the only gin made in a combination of Carter-Head and copper pot stills.
• Hendrick’s is made in small batches of 99 Gallons versus the typical small batch of 220 gallons, allowing more control over the production.

Cheers!